What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

In my case I think the lack of difference has to do with the radiator. Its the factory original and I had to flush some slime out of in when I got the truck. I've been looking for a good short radiator without the trans cooler. I want to do a separate trans cooler.

 

Sounds like you are one of the lucky few then. I've removed quite a few plastic liners from a number of trucks (not just Tacomas) and I've seen the situation below more often than not. While @Wsidr1 has more rust than normal, this situation is fairly common with these liners.

 

I was thinking of going with the 18" manual one but yeah.

 

technically dont have a 1st gen tacoma..... but started a build thread for my truck bed camp trailer that started out as a 00' tacoma. bed/frame/rear end are 1st gen

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/00-tacoma-bed-camp-trailer-build.590874/

 

I put a plastic liner on my pristine bed (back when I first got my truck) and after about a month, I took it off and my bed looked like it had been used and abused by a landscaping company for the last 15 years, I was shocked at how much damage happened in just a few weeks. I threw the plastic liner in the trash and Herculined it after that lol

 

I wouldn't bother Plasti Dipping the wheels....use real wheel paint. Even the real stuff tends to chip and flake off if you see a lot of miles especially in the dirt. Plasti Dip will be much worse as far as that goes I imagine. My pastidipped bumper has a bunch of peeling spots after a few years.

 

Or powder coat em. More expensive but if want it to last its the way to go

 

2” lift and new wheels and tires

 

Got some new lower ball joints. Plan on doing a 90k overhaul(6k miles to go) trying to spread the purchases out some. Next I want to get new inner and outer tie rods, steering rack bushing and possibly a new uni ball for my icon uppers. I will also be doing the timing belt at the same time.

I want to do it while the used parts are still good and can be used as trail spares. Figured those will all be nice things to have in an event something breaks

 

Ordered the last of the "big(er) ticket" items for the 4x conversion today.

 

Holy post revival. I posted those pictures 8 years ago.

The only rubbing that occurred was at full lock with the suspension compressed, so I added 1/4" spacers. I think the wheels has 4" backspacing. 3" OME suspension lift.

 

I'd consider an offer.

You forgot the distilled water.

The Champion radiator requires some trimming of the fan shroud and maybe something else. Someone posted photos somewhere...

 

Finished up the front frame brace/skid plate mount and welded some 1/4" plate to the frame horns. Still have to see if I can somewhat fix the fubared passenger frame where the tow hook bolts on. Ignore my booger welds, they ugly but will be strong enough. I hope.

 

All that nice fab work but you couldn't throw a little masking tape on the body to prevent over spray?

 

Why? It's all hidden by the bumper there and I will probably paint the radiator support all black soon anyhow so it blends in with the new bumper.

 

Having trouble getting my drivers side lower shock bolt on, can’t seem to get both sides to line up perfect, the front end is just a little too high, but the back side is perfect. Any ideas?

EDIT: got it, appreciate the help!

 

Jack the control arm up ever so slightly

 

Hammer and a socket extension

 

MY GUY.........that was perfect! Thank you

 

Insert a roll type pry bar through one side and push bolt through the other side while the tool keeps it aligned.